Rockymountainpirate, a guitar and bass player residing in Big Sky Country, shares her favorite Ayn Rand book, character, and quote with us. Tinfoil hat and all. :)

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QUICK FACTS

*Favorite Ayn Rand book:
I haven't read them all yet, but my favorite is Atlas Shrugged. It's a mystery, an adventure, a romance and a cautionary tale of our future if we don't wake up and pay attention.

*Favorite Ayn Rand character:
Equality 7-2521. He had the courage and curiosity to step into the unknown and live his life on his terms.
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Q & A

*When were you first introduced to Ayn Rand?
In high school I guess. I was reading Huxley and Orwell, and I wanted to read Rand but for some reason I didn't. It was a long time ago, but I remember someone saying she was anti-capitalist and a communist, which is anathema to me. I'm still puzzled by why I wouldn't have found out for myself and read it anyway. A big mistake on my part.

*How has Ayn Rand influenced your life?
I have been an Objectivist all my life, I just didn't know there was such a thing. I have always lived by “The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me.” Some tried to stop me, few succeeded. I accomplished several 'firsts' for women, but I didn't do it for womankind, I did it for me. Reading Rand just solidified what I have always believed.

*What passion project are you working on right now?
I'm searching for new projects and opportunities, but I would have to say playing the guitar and bass in a rock/blues band I'm in. It's a challenge because most of the band members are content with 'good enough' and don't want to do the work to be excellent.

*How did you hear about Galt’s Gulch Online?
Probably searching for information on the movies.
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K’s Q & A

*What are you wearing to the Atlas Shrugged III premiere?
A nice fancy frock and my tinfoil hat.

*What is the one phrase Ayn Rand wrote that stopped you in your tracks?
“And now I see the face of god, and I raise this god over the earth, this god whom men have sought since men came into being, this god who will grant them joy and peace and pride.

This god, this one word:

‘I.’ “

- Anthem by Ayn Rand

*If you could be the tycoon of an industry, which industry would you pick?
Manufacturing. Making a physical product that moves the world forward. I like turning nuts and bolts, making and repairing things. I don't know what the product would be, or I'd be doing it now.

*What do you pack in a sack lunch?
Chunky peanut butter and huckleberry jam sandwich, a bag of walnuts, dried apricots, water, and fudge.

*Favorite current song?
If by current you mean what is playing on the radio, none of them. Computer generated songs have no life. What I'm playing a lot on my MP3 is “I Know You're Out There Somewhere” by the Moody Blues.

*Pretzels or chips?
Pretzels

*Crab or shrimp?
Crab

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